1997 Audi A3 1.8L Petrol · R248 BBY
1997 Audi A3 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 04 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 169,704 miles. MOT expired on 14 Aug 2026.
- Make & Model
- AUDI A3
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 14 Aug 2026
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (30 Jan 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 169,704 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R248 BBY Key Findings
- 28 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/08/2025
- 169,704 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 11 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (52 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R248 BBY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
28 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Audi A3 (R248 BBY) between August 2006 and August 2025.
The record contains 20 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 14 August 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 8 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (52 issues), Suspension (33 issues), Tyres (11 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 97 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened spring cup (5.3.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))”.
R248 BBY Mileage History
- 05/08/200682,123 mi
- 11/08/200790,174 mi+8,051 mi
- 09/08/200898,664 mi+8,490 mi
- 11/08/2009107,617 mi+8,953 mi
- 11/08/2009107,617 mi
- 16/08/2010115,314 mi+7,697 mi
- 12/08/2011121,743 mi+6,429 mi
- 10/08/2012126,853 mi+5,110 mi
- 13/08/2012126,853 mi
- 13/08/2013131,019 mi+4,166 mi
- 08/08/2014136,278 mi+5,259 mi
- 08/08/2014136,280 mi+2 mi
- 20/07/2015140,370 mi+4,090 mi
- 30/07/2016144,480 mi+4,110 mi
- 11/08/2017149,711 mi+5,231 mi
- 07/08/2018152,580 mi+2,869 mi
- 12/08/2019155,256 mi+2,676 mi
- 13/08/2019155,258 mi+2 mi
- 10/08/2020157,207 mi+1,949 mi
- 09/08/2021159,115 mi+1,908 mi
- 09/08/2021159,116 mi+1 mi
- 15/08/2022162,542 mi+3,426 mi
- 15/08/2022162,544 mi+2 mi
- 14/08/2023165,020 mi+2,476 mi
- 13/08/2024167,108 mi+2,088 mi
- 14/08/2024167,111 mi+3 mi
- 13/08/2025169,701 mi+2,590 mi
- 14/08/2025169,704 mi+3 mi
Average of roughly 4,603 miles per year across 28 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Audi Audi A3 Mk1 (8L)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R248 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R248BBY.
AUDI
CABRIOLET
BMW
3 SERIES
DAIHATSU
HIJET
TOYOTA
MR2
NISSAN
PRIMERA
CITROEN
SAXO
MITSUBISHI
SHOGUN
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
SAAB
9-3
BMW
K SERIES
AUDI A3 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Front Suspension Wishbone Void Bush Degradation & Ball Joint PlayModerate
The front lower wishbone rear voided rubber bushes split and tear under heavy braking and cornering, while ball joints develop play, leading to knock noises over speed cushions and uneven front tyre wear.
- Central Convenience Module (CCM) Water Ingress from Scuttle Drain ClogsSerious
Decaying autumn leaves block the rubber scuttle drain bungs beneath the windscreen wiper motor. Rainwater backs up and spills through the pollen filter housing or wiring grommets directly onto the Central Convenience Module under the carpet.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.